The Hundred Languages of Children

This poem was written by an Italian educator and founder of the Reggio Emilia approach, and translated by Lella Gandini, one of his colleagues. This poem serves as inspiration to Reggio inspired centers including Oberlin Early Childhood Center, as it reminds us that children have a hundred ways of thinking, working, creating, exploring and understanding. Malaguzzi’s words urge early childhood educators to honor each child’s language rather than giving them one of our own.